Norbert Notthoff, DF5DP – Silent Key

On 28 January 2021 Dipl.-Phys. Norbert Notthoff, DF5DP, died after a short serious illness at the age of 71. He completed his studies at the Ruhr University Bochum as a graduate physicist. Afterwards he worked there as a scientific assistant. During this time Norbert became interested in amateur radio and passed his license exam. In 1977 he joined the DARC and in 1983 the AMSAT-DL, where he held various offices and functions for many years. For a long time he was OVV of the O35 Ruhr-University Bochum and for many years he was in charge of the staff unit Satellite and Space Projects of the DARC. He was also a founding member of the Round Table Amateur Radio (RTA) where he was the representative of AMSAT-DL. In the IARU and with his contacts in the regulatory authority, he also repeatedly championed the interests of the satellite community.

Norbert was active from shortwave to the GHz range and was QRV in many digital modes very early.

But his special interest was the amateur radio service via satellites. With regard to satellite radio, Norbert was a “man of conviction”. He was able to transfer this enthusiasm to others. Norbert supported radio amateurs to become QRV, among other things by numerous publications in the CQ DL, the AMSAT-DL Journal and with lectures on various events.

Norbert also loved socializing and getting together at and especially after AMSAT events. With his technical and physical expertise, he was always a welcome interlocutor.

The photo shows Norbert, DF5DP in QSO over the geostationary QO-100 satellite at the AMSAT-DL ground station (DK0SB) at the observatory Bochum.

With Norbert, AMSAT loses a long-time friend and supporter, we will miss him.

We bow our heads in respect and great gratitude to him.

Peter Gülzow, DB2OS and Thilo Elsner, DJ5YM

The Executive Board AMSAT-Deutschland e.V.